Wondering what peptides are in The Ordinary Buffet? See all six peptide technologies, what each is marketed to do, and how the copper version differs.
The Ordinary Buffet — now sold as Multi-Peptide + HA Serum — contains six peptide technologies: Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8), Leuphasyl (Pentapeptide-18), Matrixyl 3000 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7), Matrixyl Synthe'6 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38), Syn-Ake (Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate), and Relistase (Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine). The copper version, Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%, adds Copper Tripeptide-1 to that same lineup. All of these are cosmetic ingredients used to support hydration and the appearance of fine lines, not drugs that treat a medical condition.
The Full Peptide List in The Ordinary Buffet
The table below matches each trade name with the ingredient name printed on the box. The Ordinary lists ingredients in descending order by weight, but peptide raw materials are usually supplied as diluted solutions, so position on the list is not the same thing as dose.
| Trade name | INCI name on the label | Marketed benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Argireline | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 | Softer look of expression lines |
| Leuphasyl | Pentapeptide-18 | Pairs with Argireline on dynamic lines |
| Matrixyl 3000 | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 + Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 | Firmness and collagen signaling |
| Matrixyl Synthe'6 | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 | Support for the skin matrix and wrinkle depth |
| Syn-Ake | Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate | Relaxed appearance of expression lines |
| Relistase | Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine | Elasticity and firmness |
| GHK-Cu (copper version only) | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Repair support and antioxidant activity |
A peptide is simply a short chain of amino acids; chemically, the amino acids in a polypeptide chain are connected by peptide bonds, and that same bond definition applies whether the chain sits in a lab vial or in a serum bottle.
What Each Peptide Is Marketed to Do
The brand groups these peptides by the job they are supposed to perform. Here is the practical split.
- Expression-line peptides (Argireline, Leuphasyl, Syn-Ake): marketed to soften the look of lines caused by repeated facial movement.
- Matrix peptides (Matrixyl 3000, Matrixyl Synthe'6, Relistase): positioned around firmness, elasticity, and the appearance of wrinkles.
- Copper peptide (Copper Tripeptide-1): used in the copper version for antioxidant support and the look of calmer, better-repaired skin.
- Supporting ingredients (amino acids, hyaluronic acid, trehalose, urea): hydration and water binding, not peptide signaling.
These are cosmetic claims about appearance, not treatment claims. Published research exists on many of the raw materials, but most of the studies are small and several were funded by the companies that sell the ingredients.
Buffet vs. Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%
Both versions share the same six peptide technologies. The difference is the copper peptide and the layering conflicts that come with it.
| Feature | Buffet (Multi-Peptide + HA Serum) | Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% |
|---|---|---|
| Core peptides | Six peptide technologies | Same six plus Copper Tripeptide-1 |
| Color and texture | Clear to slightly cloudy gel | Blue, from the copper complex |
| Layering conflicts | Few; mainly pH-sensitive actives | Avoid direct vitamin C and strong acids in the same step |
| Typical use | Morning and/or evening on clean skin | Usually evening, or on days without acids |
| Relative price | Lower | Higher |
The brand renamed Buffet to Multi-Peptide + HA Serum, so the two names refer to the same formula. If you find an older bottle labeled Buffet, the peptide lineup is unchanged.
What These Peptides Are Not
Topical peptides in a cosmetic serum are not drugs, and that distinction matters when you read marketing online. It also helps to know what peptides are not fda approved: essentially every topical peptide sold as a cosmetic falls outside FDA drug approval, because the FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients or finished cosmetics before they go on sale.
Two practical cautions apply to any new peptide serum:
- Patch test on your inner arm for 24 hours if your skin is reactive or you have known sensitivities.
- Ask a dermatologist before starting a new serum if you are pregnant, nursing, or using prescription actives such as tretinoin.
No serum, peptide-based or otherwise, replaces sunscreen, sleep, or prescription treatment for a diagnosed skin condition.
How to Layer Peptide Serums in a Routine
Peptide serums are water-based, so they go on early. A simple order is cleanse, peptide serum, moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning.
- Apply to clean, dry skin and wait about a minute before the next step.
- Keep the copper version away from direct vitamin C, strong acids, and exfoliating toners in the same layer.
- Do not mix the serum into a cream in your hand, because that dilutes the peptide load on the skin.
- Give it 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use before judging results.
If your real question is what are the best peptides for your concern, match the peptide to the goal: matrix peptides for firmness, expression-line peptides for movement lines, and copper peptides for a repair-focused routine.
Peptides Beyond Skincare
The same word appears in biology, hair care, and research labs, which is why search results get mixed together. Questions like what are polypeptide chains in hair come from the hair-care side, where bond builders work on keratin structure rather than on cell signaling.
Research-peptide shoppers ask something different again, and pages titled Best Research Peptides Made in the usually refer to domestic suppliers selling vials for laboratory use only. Those vials are not cosmetics, are not tested for human use, and are not interchangeable with a drugstore serum.
What all of these strands share is the peptide bond itself. Chain length, amino acid sequence, and delivery decide what a given peptide can do, and a 30 mL cosmetic bottle is a very different product from a research vial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What peptides are in The Ordinary Buffet?
The original Buffet, now called Multi-Peptide + HA Serum, contains Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8), Leuphasyl (Pentapeptide-18), Matrixyl 3000 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7), Matrixyl Synthe'6 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38), Syn-Ake (Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate), and Relistase (Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine). The copper version adds Copper Tripeptide-1, also known as GHK-Cu.
Is The Ordinary Buffet the same as Multi-Peptide + HA Serum?
Yes. The Ordinary renamed Buffet to Multi-Peptide + HA Serum, and the peptide lineup stayed the same. Older bottles still labeled Buffet contain the same six peptide technologies in the same water-based formula.
Does The Ordinary Buffet contain copper peptides?
The regular Buffet does not contain copper. Only the version sold as Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%, formerly Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%, includes Copper Tripeptide-1, which gives the liquid its blue color. That version should not be layered directly with vitamin C or strong acids.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.